Day 39

July 18, 2018

11:56 PM Iceland Time

This morning we got to sleep in a bit. We ate breakfast and then headed to the Emigration center. There were 3 different buildings with parts of the exhibit. The exhibit consisted of old photographs and stories of various Icelanders who emigrated from Iceland. There were about 20,000 Icelanders who left Iceland between 1870 and 1900. My great great great grandparents left Iceland around 1890. I did find three people in the museum that went to Utah, but I am not sure if I am related to them; it’s very possible though. I got their names and am going to do some research to see if we are related somehow. It was really neat to read everyone’s stories; life was pretty rough in Iceland when they left, and all of us felt a neat connection to all the stories that we read. Most of those who left Iceland were never able to return to their homeland, and they always felt a longing and held memories of their home very dear.

I am the first in my family since my great great grandparents to come back to Iceland, which has been very special. To learn and have this opportunity to discover where my family is from, what hardships they went through, what they endured and how they survived has been an experience that I cannot convey with words. This truly has been a life changing experience. I have not only learned about my ancestors but have learned more about myself.

Anyways after looking through the museum for a few hours, we all had lunch, and then headed to the gorgeous pool here in Hofsos. It is an infinity pool that overlooks the fjord! Out of the 11 different pools I have been to here in Iceland, it is by far the most beautiful view. We hung out in the pool for a good 3 hours or so. After swimming we had some time to relax, and then we ate dinner at the only restaurant in town. (Hofsos is a very small yet beautiful town, with only about 200 residents).

 

After dinner we all hung out, talked and went back to jump on the trampoline we went to last night. We called it a night a little bit early since we have to leave early in the morning to head back to Reykjavik. We have a lot of things planned for tomorrow since it will be our last full day here in Iceland L I don’t want to think about leaving yet…so stay tuned for tomorrows adventures!